Publications by authors named "Nicolas Lee"

Fungal mycelium, a living network of filamentous threads, thrives on lignocellulosic waste and exhibits rapid growth, hydrophobicity, and intrinsic regeneration, offering a potential means to create next-generation sustainable and functional composites. However, existing hybrid-living mycelium composites (myco-composites) are tremendously constrained by conventional mold-based manufacturing processes, which are only compatible with simple geometries and coarse biomass substrates that enable gas exchange. Here we introduce a class of structural myco-composites manufactured with a novel platform that harnesses high-resolution biocomposite additive manufacturing and robust mycelium colonization with indirect inoculation.

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Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available data on how surgical management of injuries to the thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) complex affects athletes and their return-to-play (RTP) and postinjury performance metrics in addition to evaluating rehabilitation guidelines.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on PubMed and Embase databases for articles on outcomes of surgical treatment of thumb UCL injuries in athletes. Articles with expert recommendations on postoperative management and RTP guidelines were also included separately.

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Recently, the potential to create functional materials from various forms of organic matter has received increased interest due to its potential to address environmental concerns. However, the process of creating novel materials from biomass requires extensive experimentation. A promising means of predicting the properties of such materials would be the use of machine-learning models trained on or integrated into self-learned experimental data and methods.

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Engineered materials are ubiquitous throughout society and are critical to the development of modern technology, yet many current material systems are inexorably tied to widespread deterioration of ecological processes. Next-generation material systems can address goals of environmental sustainability by providing alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials and by reducing destructive extraction processes, energy costs, and accumulation of solid waste. However, development of sustainable materials faces several key challenges including investigation, processing, and architecting of new feedstocks that are often relatively mechanically weak, complex, and difficult to characterize or standardize.

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Purpose: Multifragmentary radial head and neck fractures not amenable to open reduction and internal fixation are usually treated with radial head arthroplasty (RHA). Although the optimal implant design is still subject to debate, anatomic designs are common. We hypothesized that positioning of the implant leading to increased radial stem angle (RSA) (angle of the RHA stem with respect to the proximal radius shaft, RSA) in anatomic RHA designs will contribute to failures.

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Purpose: Although several classifications are used to assess radiographs following radial head arthroplasty (RHA), including the Popovic classification for radiolucency, the Chanlalit classification for stress shielding (SS), the Brooker classification for heterotopic ossification (HO), and the Broberg-Morrey classification for radiocapitellar arthritis, little is known about the reliability of these classification systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of these classifications.

Methods: Six orthopedic surgeons at various levels of training reviewed elbow radiographs of 20 patients who underwent RHA and classified them according to the Popovic, Chanlalit, Brooker, and Broberg-Morrey classifications for radiolucency, SS, HO, and RHA, respectively.

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Purpose: This study examined soft-tissue coverage techniques of open tibia fractures, described soft-tissue treatment patterns across income groups, and determined resource accessibility and availability in Latin America.

Methods: A 36-question survey was distributed to orthopaedic surgeons in Latin America through two networks: national orthopaedic societies and the Asociación de Cirujanos Traumatólogos de las Américas (ACTUAR). Demographic information was collected, and responses were stratified by income groups: high-income countries (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs).

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Pluripotent stem cell-derived organoid technologies have opened avenues to preclinical basic science research, drug discovery, and transplantation therapy in organ systems. Stem cell-derived organoids follow a time course similar to species-specific organ gestation . However, heterogeneous tissue yields, and subjective tissue selection reduce the repeatability of organoid-based scientific experiments and clinical studies.

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Metadiaphyseal proximal radius fractures blur the distinction between the radial neck and radial shaft fractures. Operative management presents unique technical challenges both in terms of surgical approach and fixation method. We discuss relevant anatomy, safe surgical approach, and options and techniques for fracture fixation.

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Background: Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is a tool that is being used increasingly. However, the interpretation of ultrasound images of fractures is not incorporated into orthopaedic training programs. This paper presents the results of an initiative to train orthopaedic surgery residents to accurately interpret images of distal radial fractures in adults and to assess their confidence levels and attitudes regarding their future use of ultrasonography.

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The aim of this study was to quantify the stabilizing properties of a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed short-arm cast and compare those properties with traditional fiberglass casts in a cadaveric subacute distal radius fracture model. A cadaveric subacute fracture model was created in 8 pairs of forearms. The specimens were equally allocated to a fiberglass cast or 3D-printed cast group.

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Background: The time dedicated to the study of human anatomy within medical school curriculums has been substantially reduced. The effect of this on the knowledge of incoming orthopaedic trainees is unknown. The current study aimed to evaluate both the subjective perceptions and objective anatomic knowledge of fourth-year medical students applying for orthopaedic residency.

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Purpose: Handheld ultrasound technology is increasingly used in health care. Its use for fracture care has not been adequately evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate handheld, pocket-sized ultrasound in the diagnosis and assessment of reductions in distal radius fractures.

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Background: The goal of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability of a 2.4-mm dorsal spanning bridge plate with a volar locking plate (VLP) in a distal radius fracture model, during simulated crutch weight-bearing.

Methods: Five paired cadaveric forearms were tested.

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Microvascular training models for vein grafting most often use the rat epigastric vein interpositioned to the femoral artery. We describe the rat posterior facial vein as an alternative vein graft model; it has at least a 2:1 diametric ratio to the femoral artery and a tougher connective tissue, making it more similar to clinical vein grafting for reconstructive microsurgery. A series of 24 grafts interpositioned to the femoral artery were done using 11-12 sutures per end-to-end anastomosis and yielded early patency rates of 96% at 20 min and 92% at 2 and 4 weeks for subsets of 12 grafts.

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Green and black tea have shown promise in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability and bioactivity of tea polyphenols (PP) and theaflavins in human serum and human and mouse tissues. A decaffeinated black tea diet was administered to C57BL/6 mice.

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Tea polyphenols have strong in vitro antioxidant activity. Due to their limited bioavailability, however, their contribution to in vivo antioxidant activity may depend on the form of administration. A human intervention study was performed to evaluate the bioavailability and antioxidant capacity of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administered as a single large dose in the form of either purified EGCG or as green tea extract (Polyphenon E).

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Background: Green and black tea polyphenols have been extensively studied as cancer chemopreventive agents. Many in vitro experiments have supported their strong antioxidant activity. Additional in vivo studies are needed to examine the pharmacokinetic relation of absorption and antioxidant activity of tea polyphenols administered in the form of green or black tea or tea extract supplements.

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